Mold-handling machine



C. K. PRINCE.

MOLD HANDUNG MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR.22,1919.

Patented Apr. 20, 19m.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A TTORNIY.l

C. K, PRINCE. MOLD HANDLING MACHINE APPLICATION FILEAD APILZZ, I9I9.

Patented Apr. 20, M ?IL 4 sHEETs-SHEET 2.

I N VEN TOR, @iwf/zw f6'. Pr/weg W1 TNESS;

ATTORNEY,

C. K. PRINCE.

` MOLD HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.22, 1919. ,33'7,268, Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESS: l N VEN TOR,

ma Clarence Hz'fzce,

A TTORNE Y.

C. K. PRINCE.

MOLD HANDLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APH.22. 1919.

1,337,266. Patented Apr. 20,1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A TTORNEY.v

"NTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE E. PRINGE, OF WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

MOLD-HA-NDLING MACHINE.

Application filed April 22,

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known thatl, CLARENCE K. PRINCE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at lWesteld, in the county of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mold-Handling Machines, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to a machine for automatically handling molds in a foundry, or more especially stated, to a machine for automatically conveying a flask containing a casting ready to have its contents emptied, temporarily arresting its motion prior to and during the discharging of the contents of the flask immediately preceding it, returning the emptied flask to the conveyor and permitting the following or succeeding flask, which has been temporarily arrested, to enter the machine and have its contents discharged and then allowed to continue its motion on the conveyor through the machine.

Broadly considered, my invention comprises a conveyer made up of closely arranged stationary rollers forming, in effect a track, to receive the bottom board of the flask, a frame-work provided with means for suspending the flask therein, and, having connected and operative means for removing the bottom board and suspending it in an inclined position to allow the contents of the flask to fall or be pushed-on to the same, then, returning the bottom board to its original position under the flask while in the machine, and causing the board and flask to continue their movements together on the rollers to a point where the flasks are refilled or poured and the operation again repeated.

rthe invention will be fully describedl in the body of the specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.`

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevational view of my improvement, showing a filled flask onl the conveyor in its temporarily arrested position, also a flask shown in dotted lines suspended in the machine before its bottom board is lowered, and in addition, an empty ilask after having its bottom board returned to the conveyor and leaving the machine.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of the machine showing a 'flask suspended in the machine in an inclined sition; the grating below the machine and che connectin means Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

i919. serial no. 291,932.

between the operating cylinder and the bottom board.

F ig. 3 is a detail view of the operative parts of the machine with the frame-work removed, and illustrating a flask in the act of being emptied and a filled one arrested and about to enter the machine as soon as the emptied one is removed.

F ig. lshows the operative devices for releasing the temporarily arrested filled flask, and allowing it to enter the machine.

F ig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. el showing the construction of one of the conveyer rollers, and the bottom board in section thereon.

l? ig. G is a detail sectional view on the line 656 of Fig. d showing a portion of the bottom board in section which constitutes the track part.

F ig. '7 is a perspective view in detail illustrating the stop or latch devices for arresting the motion of a filled flask and for permitting an empty one to continue its motion; and

Fig. 8 is a detail of the latch device on the movable portion of the track.

Referring to the drawings in detail; the parallel arranged and spaced uprights of the frame are indicated at l and 2, and the upper connecting cross-beams at 3; 4 indicates cross braces. The uprights are spaced apart to provide a guide for the bar 5, hai/'ing end pieces 5', which is connected to the piston rod 6 of the cylinder 7 that is mounted on and secured to the beams 3 b means of the rod 26 and block 32. A threeway valve 8 is connected to the opposite ends of the cylinder 7 for operating the piston 9 and the piston rod 6 and bar 5 allowing compressed air to enter, and escape from the cylinder when the valve operating handle 1G and its connecting link ll and bellcrank arms l2 are operated as will be fully described.

Leading to the frame-work of the machine and extending therefrom are a series of rollers indicated at 13. These rollers are mounted in brackets lll, which in turn are secured to the channel iron pieces l5. The surface 16 of the rollers are carefully turned as they receive the runners or s oe parts 17 which are attached to and located on the under side of the bottom board 18. Located directly under the frame-work of the machine is a pair of longitudinally arranged channel llO irons 19 which are connected together by means of the transversely arranged channel irons 20 and 21. (See Fig. These iron pieces, in effect, form a trame-work or temporary platform that bridges the gap between the rollers at the entrance end ot' the machine and the'delivery end. The Channel irons 19 also serve as supports for the rollers 13 thereon. 1t should be stated that the channel irons 15 and 19 and the rollers 13 carried thereby are arranged in an inclined position for the purpose of allowing the filled and empty flasks to move by gravity into and away `trom the marhine. Tais iframe-work, which is made up of the channel irons 19, 20 and 21, is pivotally mounted or supported by means of the brackets 21, which are mounted at the point 212 on a substructure 22. 2 his structure is suitably supported and connected to the main trame work by means of the braces 23. Pivotally connected to the channel iron side pieces 19 oic the movable frame and at opposite sides of the same are the raising and lowering links 211- at the pivotal point 25. These links extend upward and are connected at their upper ends to the cross rod 26 which passes through the end blocks 5 of the bar "Care ried bythe rod 26 are arms 27, which are pivotally connected to the uprights 1 at the point 28. Located on the outer ends of the ams 27 are adjustable counter weight-s 29. The arms 27 are formed with openings 30 in which is located a sliding block 31, which block is 'connected to the links 2l, whereby when the arms 27 are raised and lowered, and turn about the pivot 23, the block 31 will have longitudinal movement or play therein. Located below the rod 26 and connected thereto by means of the block 32, is the transversely located beam 5 previously referred to. Depending 'from this beam are a series et push rods 341-, the lower ends oi" which are (Onnected together by means of bars 35. As shown in Fig. 3, there are four rows of the rods 34 and tour bars 35. rlhese bars are for the purpose of engaging the upper surface of the molding sand in the fla sk and during their downward movement `will force the sand and formed casting in the sand out of the flask, as shown in n 3, it being understood that the bottom board 18 at suh times has assumed the inclined or lowered position shown in Fig. 3, where the castings indicated in dotted line by the numeral 36 are shown as falling from the flask on to the bottom board and grating 37.

Located below the opening` in the trackway and near the exit end thereof is a gratinn' 37, which is arranged in an inclined position and which i5 permanently attached to the substructure 22. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame-work which closes the gap between the ends of the channel bars 15 is elevated or closed. The bottom board 1S is formed with downwardly extending ends 33, having right angle shoulder portions 39, and l0. rThe purpose et these shoulders is to serve as a stop for retaining the flask in a stationary position as will be described.

attached to the side plate of the channel irons 15 is a bar il1 (see `Figs. 1, 3 and l) by means of the pivot L12. The extension arm has attached thereto a spring fr-l, whirh normally pulls the opposite end ot the arm Ll1 upward as shown in Fig. 1. Carried by the bar d1 is a bracket ll5, in which a roller 16 is mounted. As shown in Fig. 1, the bottom board 13, and the flask L17 thereon, are retained against movement over the rollers by the roller ln the position of the ma;hine shown in Fig. 1 the second flask 47, has rolled into position in the machine, ready to be emptied, while the third flask, 472, has just been emptied and returned by the upward movement of the bottom board and is in the act et rolling away "from the machine on the rol rs Coperating with the pivotally mounted bar 41 is a second pivotally mounted bar 13.

(See nig. 7.) This bar is pivotally connected to the channel iron 21 of the movable frame work by means of the bracket L 19 and pivot pin 50. Extending 'from the bar 43 is a stud 51 to which a tension spring 52 is attzuhed, and its other end is secured to the angle bar 53 or the movable platform. lt will be noticed that the inner end of the bar i8 is inclined or beveled as shown at 511, while the inner end of the bar 41 is also inclined as indicated at 55. 1n order to limit the horizontal movement ott the bar 48, the 'll-shaped bracket 56 is attached to the channel iron 21. For the pur aose oi' retainingl the bottom board 18 in the inclined or downward position shown in Fig. 3, a movable roller stop 57 is carried by the 'framework 19. This stop comprises a bar 57 which is pivotally connected to the angle iron 21 at 25, and has attached thereto the links 572, 573, and 57 4. 57 5 is a pivotal bar for the link 574, which is connerted to the bracket 579. 575 is a link vthat is pivotally connected to the link 574 and has a shoulder 576. A spring 577 serves to elevate the link 57. The operation ot this stop is as follows.: Referring to Fig. 1, the movable section of the runway supporting the bottom board is inst about to be lowered. As the bottom board 18 starts to move downward by the links 2Liwhen compressed air is admitted to the cylinder 7, the spring 577 straightens out the links and moves the stop roller 57 into the position shown in 3 against the shoulder 39.. The shoulder 57 G serves to prevent the links going` beyond the position shown in Fig. 3. When the parte are elevated as shown in Fig. 1 the link 57 5 retains the stop 57 lowered or in its unloking position thus permitting lthe bottom board 18 mames and its empty flask to roll ,out of the machine as shown in F ig. l at 47 2 after the bottom board is again raised.

An important feature of the present invention is the means employed for temporarily supporting the flask 47 in the machine during the period that its contents are being emptied. rlhis feature comprises the brackets 58 and 59, which are secured to the uprights 1 and 2 of the frame. It will be noticed that the bracket 58 is located above the horizontal plane of the bracket 59 so that the flask 47 will be supported in the same inclined position corresponding with the inclined upper surface 18 of the bottom board 18. For the purpose of supporting the flask in this position, the lower portion of the flask is provided with projections 60 and 61, which projections rest on the brackets 58 and 59 as shown in Fig. 2 when the bottom board is lowered. The purpose of employing a bottom board, the upper surface of which is inclined, is to allow the gases, when castings of considerable length are made, to readily escape from the flask during the time that the molten metal is poured and before the castings set, as the gases escape at the upper or elevated end of the flask while the metal being poured enters the lower end of the flask in the usual manner. In making castings usually it is not necessary to employv a bottom board which has an inclined surface.

Referring now to the operation of the machine, and first with reference to the rEhe filled flask is being temporarily held back by means the stop 46 engaging' the shoulder part sa of the bottom board. rllhe immediately preceding flask 47 is in position in the machine to be emptiedi The operator now pulls the valve operating handle 10 causing compressed air to enter the upper end of the cylinder 7. As the piston moves downward, the connecting links 24 automatically move the frame-work which bridges the gap of the track which passes through the machine together with the bottom board, downward into the position shown in Fig. 3. The frame turns about the pivot 212 on the bracketl 21', as shown in Fig. 3. In this position the bottom board 18 is retained by means of the roller 57. As the bars 35 are m ved downward they pass through the flask and cause the casting and the molding sand to be pushed through the open bottom down on to the bottom board as'shown in Fig. 3. rEhe operator now allows compressed air to enter the cylinder 7 below the piston, causing the piston to rise and the air above the piston to escape to the atmosphere. The framework is drawn upward by means of the links 24 together with the bottom board 18. At the same time the stop 57 is withdrawn to allow the empty flask to move out of the machine. During this operation as shown in Fig. 4, the bar 48 engages the bar 41 and moves the inner end downward, causing the roller 46 to be withdrawn from the shoulder 39 and by the action of gravity the filled flask 47 moves in position in the machine ready to have its contents discharged. As soon as the filled flask is in position with its projections 60 and 61 over the supporting brackets 58 and 59, the operator starts the bottom board 18 downward as described. In the meantime the empty flask 472 has assumed the position shown in Fig. 1. The flask following the one that has just entered the machine would now take the place of the ask 47 and be held back by the stop 46 as before. When the frame supporting the bottom board 18 moves downward into the inclined position shown in Fig. 3, the bar 48 with its inclined surface 54 will glance or slide on the inclined surface 55 of the bar 41. It will be moved to the dotted line position as shown in this figure. It will be seen from the operation of this machine that all that is necessary for the operator or attendant to do is to control the admission and release of compressed air to the cylinder 7. The filled flask will be automatically moved into position, its contents automatically discharged and the empty flask automatically rolls out of its position in the machine in the manner already fully set forth.

It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of compressed air to oprate the removable portion of the track as I may employ other equivalent motive devices as an electric motor and suitable mechanical devices to move the beam 5 as readily understood.

That I claim is:

1. In a mold-handling machine, the combination with a runway extending therethrough for receiving the flasks to be emptied and returned to the runway, of a movable platform forming a part of the runway and adapted for vertical movements toward and away from the line of travel of 'the runway and for receiving the bottom board of the flask, means for suspending the flask on the machine and over the movable platform, means for forcing the contents of the flask from the same during the downward movement of the platform, and means for returning the platform and bottom board to their original position.

2. In a mold handling machine, the combination with a runway extending therethrough, a portion of the runway being removable and for receiving the bottom board of the flask, means for suspending the flask above the reniovable portion and means for discharging the contents of the flask on to the bottom board.

3. In a mold or flask handling machine,

Vthe combi-nation with a runway arranged in `an inclined position, and extending through the machine, a portion of the runway being pivotally mounted, means for operating said portion 'and for moving the' same into an inclined position, means ony the movable portion for automatically suspending the bottom board in said position and means for simultaneously discharging the contents of the filled flask on to the bottom board when in said position and for returning the same to close the gap between the adjacent end portions of the runway, as described.

4. 1n a mold handling machine, the combination with a runway extending into the same and for receiving a flask, means for suspend-ing the same in the machine comprising brackets to engage the flask, a portion of the runway being removable, a bottom board having shoulders to serve as stops for automatically limiting the travel of the flask as it enters the machine and for temporarily retaining said bottom board on the movable portion or platform, and means for operating said portion.

5. A mold handling machine having a runway extending therethrough, said runway having a tiltable portion which is adapted to be raised and lowered, means for operating said portion, means for temporarily suspending a flask over the tiltable portion` and for automatically forcing the contents of the flask therefrom and comprising a cylinder, piston therein, a piston rod, a plurality of bars connected to the pistonrod and designed to engage the contents of the flask for forcing the same therefrom and on to the tiltable platform when in an inclined position.

6. In a mold handling machine, the combination, of a frame work, a cylinder, a piston therein, a movable member connected to the piston, devices attached to the movable member and having their lower ends connected together' by bars, means for suspending a flask in the machine and below the devices, whereby when the bars are moved downward the contents of the flask may be discharged therefrom.

7 A mold handling machine, in combination, a runway extending into the machine and provided with a series of rollers toreceive the bottom board of a flask, said bottom board having shoulders, stops on the runway adjacent to the entrance end of the machine for temporarily holding the flask back from entering the machine, a movable platform under the machine comprising a portion of the runway, means on the platform for automatically releasing the stop as it assumes a horizontal position, means for operating the platform for moving the same into a horizontal or inclined position, whereby the runway is completed to allow the flask to move through the machine, or, is

broken to allow the contents ,of the flask to fall downward on to the movable platform.

8. A mold handling machine comprising, in combination with the frame work, a cylinder mounted thereon, a piston therein, and a movable member operated therefrom, said frame work having oppositely located brackets, a runway extending through the frame work comprising a plurality of rollers to receive the bottom board which supports the flask, said bottom board having an upper flask supporting surface and means on the flask for engaging the projections for retaining the flask in position in the machine, a portion Iof the runway inthe machine being removable land for receiving the bottom board, means for operating 'the movable portionand allowing the flask to be suspended on the brackets, whereby when the piston is operated the contents of the flask will be discharged on to the bottom board when separated, or removed, from the line of travel of the runway, as described.

9. In a mold handling machine, the combination, of a runway 4extending therethrough, a stop on the runway, a portion of the runway in the machine constituting a movable platform, means for pivotally supporting said portion, a latch on said portion and a latch device having `a stop on the portion of the runway adjacent the movable portion and cooperating therewith, a bottom board for engaging the runway and formed with shoulders, said shoulders being designed to receive the stop which is acv tuated by the latches for causing the filled flask to be temporarily retainedA in a position just before it enters the machine, the latch device on the platform serving to engage the shoulders ofthe bottom board when the platform is in an inclined position for retaining the bottom-board thereon, means for discharging the contents of the flask on to the bottom board when in this position, and means for operating the platform to move it into an inclined or substantially horizontal position, as described.

l0. 1n a mold handling machine, in combination with a frame-work having uprights and a connecting bar at the top, a cylinder, a movable member in the uprights, a rod carried by said movable member, a runway extending through the machine and having that portion in the machine constituting a movable platform, connecting means between the rod and the movable platform for operating the platform and a bottom board carried by the runway to support the flask, means for retaining the bottom board on the platform and independent means for suspending the flask on the framework, whereby when the piston is operated, the contents of the flask will be discharged on to the bottom board.

ll. A bottom board for use in a machine of the kind described, and having a flask supporting surface, depending end portions, said end portions having shoulder surfaces designed to receive a stop and runners on the bottom board for engaging the rollers of a runway for the purpose described.

l2. ln a mold handling machine, the combination with a frame work including uprights spaced from each other and a connecting bar at the top, a cylinder mounted on the frame-work, a piston therein, a movable member located between the spaced uprights and connected to the piston and designed for vertical movement when the piston is operated, a runway extending through the machine and having a movable portion at the lower part of the machine, means for pivotally mounting said portion, connecting means between said portion and to the movable member, means in the machine for temporarily suspending a ask, the movable portion of the track having means for receiving the bottom board of the flask and for retaining the same thereon during the movement of the piston, means for discharging the contents of the flask as the piston moves downward, means for disengaging the bottom board from the movable portion of the track during the upward movement and for permitting the empty flask to continue its movement through the machine and on to the runway.

CLARENCE K. PRINCE. 

